Bath Uni - impact of not having arts and humanity subjects

[CrikeyDozes]

Bath only really provides degrees in engineering, sciences, business, language and social science. No history, English, religion or philosophy etc etc

My child has an offer to study politics and loves the course and liked the open day but is worried that the student body is mainly scientists and business etc and that this may impact the whole student culture. I’m not sure quite what the worry is but this is becoming a big deal in their mind. They also think politics might be taught in a scientific and data driven way.

So does anyone who knows Bath see a different student body culture to other more balanced universities? Is everyone very literal and practical? Are there active societies in areas like drama or literature? Are there more boys than girls? Are the social sciences taught with a particularly scientific spin?

any insight appreciated.

Interesting- my DD just got her offer (Social Science) but she's in an Art and Design Foundation course now as was going to do Animation. She'd want a variety of likeminded people there too.
But a quick google and there's:
Animation and Illustration Society
Theatre Society (times 3)
Anime and Manga Society
Film Society
Fine Art Society
Crochet Society
Music Society
Dance Society ...
And of course the Uni magazine Bathtime

How active these are who knows. But seem plenty of artistic or those interested in that there. I didn't look at more philosophical/history but check the list out.
Also I wouldn't say one is mutually exclusive- scientists (or anyone) can be very creative and have many interests outside their degree.

I went there 20 years ago when all the things your DC is worried about were still the case. I have no other university experience to compare it to, but I had a great time. A campus uni really fosters great student camaraderie and Bath is a great, compact city.

I'm sure things are changing but I'm my time most of the engineering courses were mostly male, sociology and psychology etc were mostly female and management and languages etc were mostly mixed and the overall student population was roughly equal.

We did have a thing of saying "we're all a bunch of massive nerds", but it was nice to mix with people who thing the same as you (I was a massive science nerd).

If you look in the prospectus you can see the male/female spilt of the whole Uni and for each course.
I know there was a thriving drama society, dance soc, student newspaper, etc - so there were outlets for the the Arts.

I'm not sure your DC is totally wrong in their idea, but I don't think it's a negative thing.
Although I met my other half there and we are two numbers people have had two children who are maths obsessed!

There are more boys than girls. More sporty than other unis. I went to different uni but one with higher male to female ratio. More design/business and not much history and English etc..I do think it makes a difference.

Dd21 is there at the moment in final year (stress city right now). The campus nature of the uni is great for first year getting everyone mingling.

But she does think it is a more driven environment being mainly science and sporty. There being more men than women does mean more mixed student house shares in later years. Dd has found herself sharing with 4 men for her final year.

No idea about politics course. But DD has firmed Bath (Stem) but she is certainly hoping to be very active in music activities....
There is this big building on campus called the Edge, "dedicated" to art, theatre, music.

We did a deep dive for this subject with DD .. and now DS wants the same subject next year and we all love Bath..I'm a politics graduate myself and Bath is by far my favourite campus and course . The stats for the post graduates in terms of the amount is work is amazing too. Ultimately I know it won't be by choice but I'm keeping everything crossed Ds ends up on the Politics course at Bath

Well Bath Spa does the softer subjects so the town is still full of artistic type students and there's plenty of alternative culture there too.

Socially, young people are young people and I don't think anyone would notice that Bath is a STEM university if they witnessed the student body out in the city, bar or club on a night out. Flat parties and pres are as abundant as other unis.

There's an arts centre on campus and my DD had flat mates and friends who played in an orchestra and took part in musical theatre. A lot of the students come from schools where they will have taken part in a variety of extra curriculars and potentially all rounders who just chose STEM courses.

They are worked hard at Bath. The politics students had fewer contact hours than the other courses taken by DD and her flatmates. There's no way I'd have been able to pick out which 2 students study politics Vs say economics, maths, natural sciences. If your DS likes the uni and the course, he shouldn't worry. Try following the uni on social media for a bit. It helps to see what is going on on campus.

If only more people involved in Politics were interested in data!

My ds going to Bath in September to do politics and IR (year out to work). He is a bit of an all rounder subject wise but loves politics. Hopefully, will be a good fit...

We asked this question of several people when we went to offer days. They pointed to the Brass Band and other arts societies.

That said, they did acknowledge the two main 'atmospheres' are the fairly serious economists etc and the very sporty people.

They all seemed very very nice . there was definitley a rugby rugby rugby element in evidence.

DS chose differently in the end : just as well as he swapped to a subject not offered at Bath almost immediately!

My daughter is doing politics at Bath.
She's never mentioned the science/boys/girls thing. Having the time of her life.

It is sporty, but if you're not sporty, there are so many other things going on. Mine does "recreational" volleyball to keep fit when she can, but that's just a turn up and do what you feel like doing thing.

It's a beautiful campus, a beautiful city, a safe city, the nightlife is just right.

She's currently looking for placements for next year and hoping to go into policy ultimately.

<waves> remember on another thread my dd's favourite impression of the holders day was the "fruit eating rugby players" 😂

Ha! Yes!

Poli Sci academic here. Not familiar with the Bath faculty a I'm not in the UK. In general, the field has been plagued for decades by mindless number-crunching and what is dubbed the "rat choice" approach, although proponents of qualitative and multi-methods research are getting more vociferous. That said, this won't necessarily translate into undergraduate instruction. Have a look at as many syllabi and also thesis topics as you can get your hands on.

I was amazed to find a uni of its size didn’t offer Geography. Then I realised there are whole swathes it doesn’t offer.

My nephew went there and loved it - sporty male Economist tho 🤣

As an aside, searching for the uni name:society name on Insta etc can give a good idea as to how active they are.

Thanks all. Really helpful replies and I’ve now started following various Bath Uni accounts on social media to get more of a feel. Sports is not a big interest for my child either although maybe that could change. The choice is between Bath, Leeds and Manchester so it’s quite different feels but all are great universities so I’m very relaxed about which they choose.

Bath is very different to Manchester! And Leeds too really. I know a few DC who have been to Bath for management courses but when DD looked for MFL it’s very limited in modules available. Lack of arts was an issue for her and she didn’t apply. Her friends who went did enjoy it.

However if DC liked Bath, they will be happy and definitely good for getting a job. Every single Politics student wants a policy job. Very few get them! Bath could be better than most if it’s an aim. Many politics courses over sell destination of grads and I don’t know any politics grad in a policy role.

Honestly there is so much for them to get involved in.
They'll be bringing up the baby goats soon for the petting zoo, they do it just before exams to relax people. ❤️

Even If your child is non-sporty university is a great place to get involved in a non-traditional sport. Fencing, climbing, ultimate frisbee, roller derby are all popular with ”non-sporty” students and because very few will have done these as teens (maybe with the exception of climbing) everyone is starting from the same level.

And of course there will be clubs for tabletop and role playing games, anime and manga and all the other nerd subcultures.

Or you could just meet friends and go to have a coffee! My DDs would never have done anything listed above! Most students do work out who possible friends are and where to find them. Usually in their hall of residence or on the course at first.

I didn't attend the university but Bath is my home city and there's a massive music/comedy/arts/theatre/alternative scene. Plus there's Bath Spa which as PP mentioned does all the arts and humanities stuff like theology, history, English, drama etc so there are plenty of artsy students. And Bristol is only a short journey away and is also full of gigs, arts etc. IMO it's a great place to live.

I also don't think students being into sports or economics or STEM means none of them will be into the arts too!

My DD is second year Politic and IR student at Bath. It was her first choice and she loves the place, has thrived there. She will always say that it is a highly academic driven environment - all her peers are very hard working but this suits her as she is too. She was in a flat of 26 in her first year, lots of sports mad folk, they all worked hard but played hard too. I have not heard her say anything of note about how the course is taught but it is what she expected from attending the open days and reading up on content, it is everything she hoped it would be.

Like you would expect from any Uni there is a huge variation of kids there from all backgrounds. Gay, straight, religious, not religious, international backgrounds, poor / rich parents (thinking of her housemates this year) - there are societies for most things should they wish to meet like minded peers. DD also works locally in the City and has met students from Bath Spa too so not just restricted to her Uni. I can honestly say she loves the place.